Before taking the Canine Good Citizen test, owners will
sign the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge. We believe that responsible dog
ownership is a key part of the CGC concept and by signing the pledge, owners
agree to take care of their dog's health needs, safety, exercise, training and
quality of life. Owners also agree to show responsibility by doing things such
as cleaning up after their dogs in public places and never letting dogs infringe
on the rights of others.
After signing the Responsible Dog Owners Pledge, owners
and their dogs are ready to take the CGC Test. Items on the Canine Good Citizen
Test include:
Test 1: Accepting a friendly stranger
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a
friendly stranger to approach it and speak to the handler in a natural, everyday
situation. The evaluator walks up to the dog and handler and greets the handler
in a friendly manner, ignoring the dog. The evaluator and handler shake hands
and exchange pleasantries. The dog must show no sign of resentment or shyness,
and must not break position or try to go to the evaluator.
Test 2: Sitting politely for petting
This test demonstrates that the dog will allow a
friendly stranger to touch it while it is out with its handler. With the dog
sitting at the handler's side, to begin the exercise, the evaluator pets the dog
on the head and body. The handler may talk to his or her dog throughout the
exercise. The dog may stand in place as it is petted. The dog must not show
shyness or resentment.
Test 3: Appearance and grooming
This practical test demonstrates that the dog will
welcome being groomed and examined and will permit someone, such as a
veterinarian, groomer or friend of the owner, to do so. It also demonstrates the
owner's care, concern and sense of responsibility. The evaluator inspects the
dog to determine if it is clean and groomed. The dog must appear to be in
healthy condition (i.e., proper weight, clean, healthy and alert). The handler
should supply the comb or brush commonly used on the dog. The evaluator then
softly combs or brushes the dog, and in a natural manner, lightly examines the
ears and gently picks up each front foot. It is not necessary for the dog to
hold a specific position during the examination, and the handler may talk to the
dog, praise it and give encouragement throughout.
Test 4: Out for a walk (walking on a loose lead)
This test demonstrates that the handler is in control of
the dog. The dog may be on either side of the handler. The dog's position should
leave no doubt that the dog is attentive to the handler and is responding to the
handler's movements and changes of direction. The dog need not be perfectly
aligned with the handler and need not sit when the handler stops. The evaluator
may use a pre-plotted course or may direct the handler/dog team by issuing
instructions or commands. In either case, there should be a right turn, left
turn, and an about turn with at least one stop in between and another at the
end. The handler may talk to the dog along the way, praise the dog, or give
commands in a normal tone of voice. The handler may sit the dog at the halts if
desired.
Test 5: Walking through a crowd
This test demonstrates that the dog can move about
politely in pedestrian traffic and is under control in public places. The dog
and handler walk around and pass close to several people (at least three). The
dog may show some interest in the strangers but should continue to walk with the
handler, without evidence of over-exuberance, shyness or resentment. The handler
may talk to the dog and encourage or praise the dog throughout the test. The dog
should not jump on people in the crowd or strain on the leash.
Test 6: Sit and down on command and Staying in place
This test demonstrates that the dog has training,
will respond to the handler's commands to sit and down and will remain in the
place commanded by the handler (sit or down position, whichever the handler
prefers). The dog must do sit AND down on command, then the owner chooses the
position for leaving the dog in the stay. Prior to this test, the dog's leash is
replaced with a line 20 feet long. The handler may take a reasonable amount of
time and use more than one command to get the dog to sit and then down. The
evaluator must determine if the dog has responded to the handler's commands. The
handler may not force the dog into position but may touch the dog to offer
gentle guidance. When instructed by the evaluator, the handler tells the dog to
stay and walks forward the length of the line, turns and returns to the dog at a
natural pace. The dog must remain in the place in which it was left (it may
change position) until the evaluator instructs the handler to release the dog.
The dog may be released from the front or the side.
Test 7: Coming when called
This test demonstrates that the dog will come when
called by the handler. The handler will walk 10 feet from the dog, turn to face
the dog, and call the dog. The handler may use encouragement to get the dog to
come. Handlers may choose to tell dogs to "stay" or "wait" or they may simply
walk away, giving no instructions to the dog.
Test 8: Reaction to another dog
This test demonstrates that the dog can behave
politely around other dogs. Two handlers and their dogs approach each other from
a distance of about 20 feet, stop, shake hands and exchange pleasantries, and
continue on for about 10 feet. The dogs should show no more than casual interest
in each other. Neither dog should go to the other dog or its handler.
Test 9: Reaction to distraction
This test demonstrates that the dog is confident at
all times when faced with common distracting situations. The evaluator will
select and present two distractions. Examples of distractions include dropping a
chair, rolling a crate dolly past the dog, having a jogger run in front of the
dog, or dropping a crutch or cane. The dog may express natural interest and
curiosity and/or may appear slightly startled but should not panic, try to run
away, show aggressiveness, or bark. The handler may talk to the dog and
encourage or praise it throughout the exercise.
Test 10: Supervised separation
This test demonstrates that a dog can be left with
a trusted person, if necessary, and will maintain training and good manners.
Evaluators are encouraged to say something like, "Would you like me to watch
your dog?" and then take hold of the dog's leash. The owner will go out of sight
for three minutes. The dog does not have to stay in position but should not
continually bark, whine, or pace unnecessarily, or show anything stronger than
mild agitation or nervousness. Evaluators may talk to the dog but should not
engage in excessive talking, petting, or management attempts (e.g, "there,
there, it's alright").
Equipment
All tests must be performed on leash. Dogs should wear
well-fitting buckle or slip collars made of leather, fabric, or chain. Special
training collars such as pinch collars, head halters, etc. are not permitted in
the CGC test. We recognize that special training collars may be very useful
tools for beginning dog trainers, however, we feel that dogs are ready to take
the CGC test at the point at which they are transitioned to regular collars.
The evaluator supplies a 20-foot lead for the test. The
owner/handler should bring the dog's brush or comb to the test.
Encouragement
Owners/handlers may use praise and encouragement
throughout the test. The owner may pet the dog between exercises. Food and
treats are not permitted during testing, nor is the use of toys, squeaky toys,
etc. to get the dog to do something. We recognize that food and toys may provide
valuable reinforcement or encouragement during the training process but these
items should not be used during the test.
Failures - Dismissals
Any dog that eliminates during testing must be marked
failed. The only exception to this rule is that elimination is allowable in test
Item 10, but only when test Item 10 is held outdoors.
Any dog that growls, snaps, bites, attacks, or attempts
to attack a person or another dog is not a good citizen and must be dismissed
from the test.
